Shoe construction



Spt. 3o, 1941.

S, RESKO SHOE CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 25, 1940 INVENTOR .5561/6 esb Y. n 'Pf/ l ATTORNEY 4 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 30,A 1941. s. REsKo SHOE CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 VF'iled Nov'. 25

ATTORNEY Sept. 30, 1941- s. REsKo SHOE CQNSTRUCTION4 Filed Nov. 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY Sept. 30, 1941. s, RESKO SHOE CONSTRUCTION Filed NOV, 25, 1940 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 NVENTOR ,.5260@ eS/a B ATTORNEY 'III Patented Sept. 30, 1941 i UNITED STATES PATENT `OFFICE SHO-E CONSTRUCTION Steve Resko, Woodbridge, N. J. Application November 25, 1940, Serial N0. 367,045 9 claims. (o1. 36;-38)

walking takes place.

Various devices for cushioning have been proposed. VSince the impacts of walking are at the heels of the shoes it is now customary to utilize rubber as the material from which shoe-heels are made, the purpose of such rubber heels being to cushion the impacts of walking and the resulting shocks to the physical and nervous systems of the walker.

The usual rubber heels have definite disadvantages, however. Thus, Wearing qualities are attained only with a loss of elasticity and resiliency, so that with satisfactory wear thereis a sacrifice of the cushioning effects of such heels; and, conversely, when the heels are made sufficiently soft and elastic to eXert an appreciable cushioning effect, the wearing qualities of the heels become so impaired as' to be completely unsatisfactory. Additionally, the resiliency is soon lost.

One object of the present invention therefore, is to provide a shoe construction wherein the heels of the shoes are provided with enclosed cushioning instrumentalities, which will impart very marked resiliency even to leather heels, and which when used in conjunction with the standard rubber heels, renders the same to be really cushining in their action.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction of the above indicated character which will be effectively durable for the life of the heel to which it is applied.

A still further object of the invention is to `provide a construction of the above-indicated character which is inexpensive and easily included in a shoe construction.

Further objects of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds, and theA features of novelty will be pointed out in particularity in the appended claims; and the invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of application of vwhich will be indicated in the Glaims. Y

The invention will be understood more readily from the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 represents a fragmentary sectional elevation of a portion of a shoe provided with a heelv which incorporates one form of the presentV invention, the view showing the heel attached to the shoe.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the heel separate from the shoe, but in position for attachment. Y

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an improved heel and cushioning means mounted in the heel. 1

Fig. 4 is a bottom View of the heel portion of a shoe which is adapted to receive the cushioning means. Y

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the invention as applied to a leather heel.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, but showing the cushioning means compressed as when under a walking Weight.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but with the cushioning means removed.

Fig. 8 is a bottom View of a shoe embodying a vthe viewomitting the cushioning means.

Fig. 11 is a sectional elevation of the modified construction, the view being taken on the line II-H of Fig. 8, the view however showing the heel applied.

Fig. 12 is -a sectional elevation taken at right angles to thefview of Fig. 11, the view being on the line I2-I2 of Fig. 8, but showing the heel applied.

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the modified form of construction.

. Fig. 14 is a perspective view` of a heel showing the modied cushioning means in position.

Referring more lparticularly to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive, A represents a fragment of the upper of a -conventional shoe, provided with the usual outer-sole 6 and inner-sole 8. The heel IU is shown as being secured to the outer-sole 6 in the usual way.

`This heel I0 is shown in the drawings as being a usual type of rubber heel, which is attached by means of the usual nails passing through holes not shown, but which, however, has been modified to incorporate the features of the present invention. The uppersurface of this heel is cupped or dished, asis common with rubber heels, this feature being indicated at II. It will be seen that the heel IIJ is provided with improved cushioning instrumentalities of the present invention.

For Vthis purpose, the heel Il) is recessed as shown at I2, this recess extending inwardly from the top of the heel, and is of suitable depth to receive a rather large coiled spring I4 which is supported and retained by an upstanding lug I6 which is produced from the body of the heel as the recess therein is made. This lug I6 is sufficiently high to form a iirm support and guide for the spring I4. In the bottom of the recess I2 there is provided a metal washer I8, which snuglyV fits the recess I2, Vand is provided with a central hole which snugly slips over the lug I6. Preferably the diameter of the Washer I3 maybe made slightly larger than the diameter of the recess I2 so that a tight rit is assured. This washer I8 forms a wear plate for the spring I4, .itf

receiving the compressional force exerted on spring during walking.

In the upper end of the spring there is provided a member 20, which may be made suitably of cork, wood or the like this Ymember 20 defining a head which is mounted on an extending stem 22, which is of a diameter at least equal to the inside diameter of the spring I4, this stem portion 22 of the member 20 lits snugly in the upper end of the spring I4, and cooperates with the lug I6, thereby forming a suiciently continuous support to the spring so that the latter is not likely to become displaced or distorted laterally in any portion of its length, the spring thereby being held straight continuously.

The head portion of the member is larger than the outside diameter of the spring, so that the . it forms an annular abutment collar vfor the upper end spring I4. VThis collar ts snugly into a recess 24 which is provided in the outer-sole 6 of the shoe, and which extends therethrough until it reaches the inner-soleY 8. A thin metal washer 26 is inserted tightly in this recess 24 to form a wear-resisting surface against which the collar 20 is pressed by the spring I4. It will be observed that the recess 24 and the collar 20 are ofthe same diameter, 'so that the wall of the Vrecess 24 forms a guide for the collar 20 during the movements thereof which occur during walking. The collar 2t is vretained in the recess 24 Yby pressure of the spring I4. Consequently, the

collar 2G is retained continuously in the recess v24, andthe construction is such that movement of the parts is always at right angle to the sole of the shoe, the parts being held firmly, against twisting or lateral displacement.

The spring I4 is made of any suitable resilient rust-resistant metal, which resists fatigue and retains its resiliency substantially unimpaired over long periods of time. Stainless steel is a suitable material for such spring as it retains its resiliency and is non-corrosive under service conditions; but other'metals may be used, as will be obvious. v The wear plates IIiand 26 are, preferably, stamped from suitable thin metallic sheet stock, intoA the properV shape and size for the desired purpose.

It willV be apparent, that, during walking, the wearerV of thisimproved shoe construction, alternately exerts on the heel III and releases therefrom the pressure of his weight. As the heels strike theY ground, the wearersN weight V'largelyshifts tothe heel, thereby exertingY a compressional force on the heel, 'thereby corripressing the spring 22 as'the wearersV weight is applied substantially larger hole 46 at the middle of-Ythe to the heel I0. This closes thespace II, and compresses the spring I4 to an amount which is determined by the extent of the space I I and the normal resiliency of the heel. As the wearers weight is released from the heel II), the spring expands to its resting position. The force of this expansion adds materially to the natural resiliency of the heel, tending to cushion effectively the shocks of walking, and imparting increased resiliency to the normal springiness of the heel.

Consequently, each step that is taken is cushioned very effectively by the resilient cushioning means of the present invention, it being apparent that the said means are completely enclosed in the shoe structure, thereby being invisible, the shoe and heel presenting a completely conventional appearance.

The wear plates I3 and 26 are snapped into place, and are held in position in their respective recesses by their inherent resiliency.

It will be apparent that the cushioning eiects of the spring I4 are obtained through the natural yielding between the shoe and the'heel incident to compression of the heel under the weight Y of the wearer. The heavier the weightof the wearer, the greater will be this compression, and the resilient effect will be increased vcorrespondingly. This makes the present construction ideal for Yany physique which the wearer may have.

Figures 5 and 6 show the invention as applied to a leather heel, this leather heel being desigf nated at 30. sion of a dished upper surface 32, compression being effected by the flexibility from the bottom of the shoe, the soles bending under the weight of a wearer to close the resulting space between the sole IiV and the heel, as is indicated in Fig. 6, thereby pressingV down oriY the collar 2), correspondingly compressing the spring I4, this action imparting a definite resiliency andcushioning action to normally rigid leather heels.

'IhusV it will be seen that efficient cushioning is obtained with all types of heels.

In Figs. 8 to 14,inclusive,.which illustrate a modied construction, there is indicated at 34 a' metal reinforcing platerwhich extends substantially from the ball part of the shoe well into the heel portion, this plate being substantiallyV fiat on its bottom, and which serves an important function in addition to that of reinforcing'the structure. The plate 34 is positioned between the outsole S and the insole il.V Y

A leather heell lift 36, also is provided, this lift 36 being attached tothe heel portion of the sole 6 in any suitable'mannerv The heel 40,

which maybe either a rubber ora leather heel4 which embodies the improved; features is fatillustrated inthe drawings.

The lift 36 is provided with similar holes 42, 42', which extend through to the metalv plate 34, this plate at -least substantially covering the holes. If the plate 34 does "not entirely close these holes, then the insole'` completes the Aclosure. A' I Y The holes 42, 42 are placed as shown adjacent tothe outside periphery of theheel portion-ol the shoe, yand as many of these holes 'may be provided as may be required. 1 However, the two holes shown are found to be usually suflicientin practice, they being positioned with respect to a Resiliency is obtained by the provi-Y siliency for a wearer of the finished shoe. This large hole 46, as has been just mentioned, is made in the lift 36 at the approximate center thereof, and extends through to the plate 34 and is closed by the plate.

Similar holes 42d, 42h and 46a. are provided in the heel 40, these holes being adapted to register with the holes 42, 42 and 46, respectively, when the heel is attached. Suitable nail holes 48 are provided as usual in the heel 40 which may be attached to the lift 36 in the usual way by suitable-nails, one of which is indicated at 50.

The large hole 45a in the heel 40 is cut outAof the heel so as to leave an upstanding center lug 38, on which is fitted a metal doughnut-washer 54, this washer 54 being sprung into place in the hole 46a and held firmly by its engagement with the side wall of the hole and with the lug 38. Also, washers 55 are sprung into the holes 42a and 42h, these washers being generally similar to the washer 54 except that they are of a smaller size suitable to be iitted into their smaller holes.

The hole 42, 42 in the heel lift 36 receive washers 52, which are similar to washers 55.

Extending into the hole 46 in the heel lift 36, is a lug 56, which is made from cork or wood, or like material. This lug 56 is provided with an enlarged head 58 positioned in a recess 6U in the sole 5, the head 58 substantially filling the said recess. It is retained firmly in this recess by an annular shoulder 62 of` the heel lift 36, asis shown clearly in Fig. ll. When the heel is attached, the lug 56 forms a substantial continuation of the lug 38.

Now auxiliary coil compression springs 54, 64 areinserted tightly in the holes 42, 42 ofthe lift 36, or in the corresponding holes 42a and 42h in the heel. The ends of these springs bear against the washers 52, 52 and 55, 55 when the heel is attached. Also a relatively large mainspring 66 is fitted over the lugs 56 and 38, and as this spring is longer than the auxiliary springs 64, 64, it becomes more greatly compressed. The spring 65 therefore bears against the washer 54 and the `head 58, this being pressed in turn against an abutment plate 68 inserted in the recess 65 and held by the side wall thereof.

It will be seen that the various washers referred to above are held frictionally in the respective holes and form Wear members or abutment members for the various spring ends, thereby minimizing wear and abrasion of the leather and rubber engagement of which by the springs is prevented by the interposition of these wear members.

It is found in practice that this modied construction -substantially increases the wearing qualities of any shoe, the auxiliary springs 64 being found to counteract efficiently the tendency of a shoe to turn over under the weight of the wearer, these springs being positioned to give adequate support to the outside part of a wearers foot and acting to distribute equally the weight of a wearer uniformly over the heel area of the shoe, while the mainspring 66 is designed to give the desired additional resiliency.

The mainspring 66 iits snugly over the lugs 56 and 38, and in use, these lugs afford a substantially continuous internal reinforcing support for the spring, vholding iirmly both ends of the spring. Similar conditions hold for the auxiliary springs except that they are supported externally by the registering walls of their respective holes,

into which ythe springs snugly iit. Lateral distortion of all of the springs thereby is avoided.

The metal parts are made of non-rusting metal, and the springs are, additionally, fatigueresisting. Stainless steel is found in practice t0 be a suitable material, although any other metal having suitable properties and resiliency may be employed.

It will be understood, of course, that the improved construction of this invention is applicable equally to womens shoes as well as to mens, and in the same way.

This application is a continuation in part of the copending application of Steve Resko, Serial No. 318,284, `filed February 10, 1940.

What is claimed is:

1. A shoe construction comprisingthecombination with a shoe upper having a sole rigidly attached thereto throughout its entire length, of a heel adapted to be attached to the sole, a recess in the said heel dening an upstanding spring-retaining and supporting lug, a spring mounted on the lug and held thereby, a second spring-retaining and supporting member for the spring, anda recess in the said sole for receiving the said second member into which recess the said member snugly ts and is retained thereby.

2. A shoe construction comprising the combination with a shoe upper having a sole rigidly attached thereto throughout its entire length, of a heel adapted to be attached to the sole, a recess in the said heel, a spring-retaining and supporting member for the spring adapted to engage the spring closely interiorly thereof and cooperating with the lug to form a substantially continuous support for the Spring, a second spring-retaining and supporting member for the spring, and retaining means in the sole for the said second member, the said means adapted to hold snugly the said member for preventing shifting movement thereof, responsive to compression and expansion of the spring during walking.

3. A shoe construction comprising the combination with a shoe upper having a sole rigidly attached thereto throughout its entire length, of a heel adapted to be attached to the sole, a recess in the said heel including an upstanding spring-retainingand supporting lug, a coil spring mounted on the lug and tightly held thereby, a second spring-retaining and supporting member for the spring, including a lug snugly fitting in the said spring and an enlarged head dening a spring-retaining collar, and a recess in the said sole for receiving the said head of the second member, the said head being of substantially the same size as the recess for a snug nt therein.

4. A shoe construction comprising the combination with a shoe upper having a sole rigidly attached thereto throughout its entire length, of a heel attached to the sole, a recess in the said heel dening an upstanding spring-retaining and supporting lug, a spring mounted on the lug and tightly held thereby, a second spring-retaining and supporting member for the spring, and a recess in the said sole for receiving the said second member into which recess a said member snugly fits, the said spring being sufficiently long to be partly compressed between the sole and the heel when the latter is attached and to be further compressed under the weight of a wearer of the shoe, and wear-resisting members in the said recesses between the spring and the heel and between the said second member and the sole, respectively.

5. A shoe construction comprising, in combination, a Shoeupper, a' soie therefor, and a heer secured to the sole, cooperating recesses in the sole andy heel, a yieldable coil springV positioned in the said recesses, having its ends pressing against the heel and sole, respectively, for yieldably cushioning impacts of walking, retaining means in each end of the spring for iixedly retaining the spring against lateral movement incident to walking, the said retaining means extending through the spring sufficiently to form a substantially continuous internal support for the spring, the retaining means at the sole end of the spring including a relatively large head member adapted to enter the recess in the sole and the pressure of the spring and a lug extending from the said head into the spring and snugly fitting in the spring, the said head substantially iilling the said recess and is held thereby, and wear-resisting members inserted in the said recesses and defining wear-resisting abutments for the end of the spring. Y A l 6. A shoe construction comprising, in combination, a shoe upper, a sole therefor, and a heel secured to the sole, Vcooperating recesses in the sole and heel, a yieldable spring positioned in the said recesses and having its ends pressing :against the heel and sole respectively for yieldably cushioning impacts of walking, cooperating supporting means for the spring at each end thereof, thesaid supporting means extending to the spring sufficiently far to form a substantially continue ous internal supportV to the spring having a tight t in the spring, thereby supporting the spring against lateral movement, the retaining means at the heel end of the spring comprising a lug extending from the bottom of the recessin the heel, the said lug snugly fitting into the spring, the retaining means/at the sole end of the spring comprising a member having a lug tightly fitting into the spring and an enlarged head tightly iitting into the recesses in the sole and deiining an abutment collar for the spring, and wearresisting members inserted in the said recesses between the heel and spring, and enlarged head and spring, respectively, the said wear-resisting members being adapted to prevent excessivewear on the heel and sole of the shoe,

7. A shoe construction comprising the combination with a shoe upper having a sole rigidly attached thereto throughout its entire length, of a heel attached to the sole, a recess in the said heel, an upstanding lug inthe said recess, a coil spring mounted on the lug and tightly held by the lug, the said spring being positioned to act on the sole at approximately the center of its heel portion, a second spring-retaining and supporting member for the spring, means in the said sole for receiving the said second member, the said second member closely Yfitting into the said spring, and being tightly retained in the said receiving means in the sole, thes'aid second member including a' lug extending into the spring and cooperating withV the lug in the heel to afford substantially continuous internalsupport for the spring, and means for maintaining the said second member tightly in engagement with the said retaining means in the sole.

8. A shoe construction comprising the combination with a shoe upper having a sole rigidly attached thereto throughout its entire length, of a heel attached to the sole a main recess in the said heel, and upstanding lug in the said recess, a large coil main spring mounted on the lug and supported thereby, a second spring-retaining and supporting member for the main spring, means in the said sole for tightly receiving the said second member, the said second member cooperating with the said lug for supporting the spring against lateral distortion of the main spring during wearing of the shoe, the said main spring being spaced centrally of the heel and the corresponding portion of shoe, and relatively small auxiliary spring positioned in the heel and sole adjacent to the outer side of the heel and sole adapted to resisting overturningY of the heel during wear.

9. A shoe construction comprising the combination with a shoe upper having an outer-sole rigidly attached thereto throughout its entire lengths and an inner-sole of a heel attached to the sole, a reinforcing plate between the soles extending from a region forwardly of the instep portion of the sole and terminating somewhat short of the heel end of the sole, the said plate being of substantial width but somewhat narrower than the width of the sole, a heelV attached to the sole, a main recess in the said heel, an upstanding lug in the said recess, a large coil mainspring mounted on the lug and supported thereby, a second spring-retaining and supporting member for the mainspring, a recess in the outer-sole for receiving the said spring-retaining and supporting member, the said'recess ex-` tending through the outer sole to the said plateV the said member cooperating with the lug in 'theV heel for rmly supporting the spring against Vlateral distortion of the mainspring during Wearing of the shoe, the said mainspring being'spaced substantially centrally of the heel and the corresponding portion ofV the sole, auxiliary recesses in the outersole and heel adapted to register when the heel is attached to the shoe, the said auxiliary recesses being relatively small and extending through the outer sole to the said plate and bef ing disposed around the outer periphery ofthe heel and sole, and relatively small auxiliary springs positioned in the'said auxiliary recesses to eiTect a substantially uniform distribution of the weight of the wearer. Y

STEVE RESKO. 

